294 
THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 
[chap. 
we had long ago become quite tired. The Expedition was also 
presented by the Alaska Company with a fine fat ox, milk, and 
various other provisions, and I cannot sufficiently value the 
goodwill shown to us not only by the Russian official, N. Greb- 
NITSKI, a zealous and skilful naturalist, hut also by the officials 
of the Alaska Company and all others living on the island with 
whom we came into contact. 
It was my original intention to sail from Behring Island to 
Petropaulovsk, in order from thence to put a stop to the under¬ 
takings which were possibly in contemplation for our relief. 
This however became unnecessary, because a steamer, which 
was to start for Petropaulovsk as soon as its cargo was on board, 
had anchored by the side of the Vega two days after our arrival* 
The steamer belonged to the Alaska Company, was named 
the Alexander, was commanded by Captain Sandman, and was 
manned almost exclusively by Swedes, Danes, Fins, and 
Norwegians.^ We found on the Alexander two naturalists, Dr. 
Benedikt Dybovski and Dr. Julian Wiemut. The former is 
a Pole exiled to Siberia but now pardoned, whose masterly 
zoological works are among the best contributions which have 
been made during recent decades to our knowledge of the 
natural conditions of Siberia. His researches have hitherto 
mainly concerned the Baikal region. Now he wishes to extend 
them to Kamchatka, and has therefore voluntarily taken a 
physician’s post at Petropaulovsk. Science has reason to expect 
very rich results from his work and that of his companions in 
one of the most interesting, most mis-known, and least known 
lands of the north. 
1 The first European who welcomed us after the completion of the 
North-east passage was a Fin now settled in California, from Bjorkboda 
works in Kimito parish, in which I had lived a great deal when a youth. 
He was sent by the Alaska Company to do some work on Behring Island. 
As we steamed towards the colony he rowed to meet us, and saluted us with 
the cry ar det Nordenskiold ? ” (“ Is it Nordenskiold ? His name was 
Isak Andersson. 
